Overload indicator

Abstract

An overload indicator particularly adapted for use with driving and driven components of a meat processing system conveyor to indicate when an overload condition takes place. A frangible member of the indicator is preferably embodied as a shear pin that normally connects the driving and driven components and includes an internal gas chamber which is communicated with the environment as the pin fractures in shear due to overloading. Pressurized gas supplied to the gas chamber of the shear pin decreases in pressure as the pin fractures and this pressure decrease is sensed to indicate the occurrence of an overload condition. A conduit for supplying the pressurized gas to the gas chamber of the shear pin preferably includes a restricted orifice through which the gas is fed by a compressor, and a pressure sensitive valve downstream from the restricted orifice senses the pressure decrease due to an overloading pin fracture. The driving and driven components of a meat processing system conveyor incorporating the indicator are preferably a driven reciprocating beam and a drive cylinder that reciprocates the beam. A flexible hose is connected to the shear pin within a housing of the system and feeds the pressurized gas to the shear pin which moves along with the reciprocating beam. The overload indicator is preferably interconnected with the drive cylinder operation so as to terminate its operation when an overload condition occurs.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A meat processing system for processing meat products for the like, the system comprising; a housing including a chamber in which the products are processed;   a conveyor including a reciprocating beam for conveying the products through the chamber and a drive cylinder for reciprocating the beam;   an overload indicator including a frangible member connecting the beam and drive cylinder of the conveyor so as to fracture upon being subjected to an overload condition therebetween; said frangible member having an internal gas chamber that is communicated with the environment upon fracture due to an overload condition; conduit means including a restricted orifice for supplying pressurized gas to the gas chamber from a gas compressor; and means for sensing a decrease in gas pressure within the conduit means downstream from the restricted orifice so as to thereby detect the occurrence of an overload condition; and   means for terminating operation of the drive cylinder when the overload condition is sensed by the indicator.   
     
     
       2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the conduit means includes a flexible hose connected to the frangible member. 
     
     
       3. A meat processing system for processing meat products or the like, the system, comprising: a housing including a chamber in which the products are processed;   a conveyor for conveying the products through the chamber and including driving means and a driven component; and   an overload indicator including a frangible member for connecting the driving means and the driven component of the conveyor so as to fracture upon being subjected to an overload condition therebetween; said frangible member having an internal gas chamber that is communicated with the environment upon fracture due to an overload condition; conduit means including a restricted orifice for supplying pressurized gas to the gas chamber; and means for sensing a decrease in gas pressure within the conduit means downstream from the restricted orifice so as to thereby detect the occurrence of an overload condition; and   means for terminating operation of the drive means when the overload condition is sensed by the indicator.